Directly Elected Mayors in Cork, Limerick and Waterford

Cork

On the 24th May, you will be asked to vote on whether you want to directly elect the Lord Mayor for Cork City. If you vote yes, then in future years there will be a Lord Mayor for Cork City who will be voted for by the people of Cork City. The Lord Mayor will serve a five-year term and will have real powers to drive Cork’s future development.

A Directly Elected Mayor will help deliver Project Ireland 2040’s ambition for Cork City

Project Ireland 2040 is our plan to rebalance growth and development in Ireland. Central to this is growing Cork by 50% over the next 20 years, twice the rate planned for Dublin, thereby bringing about genuine balanced regional development in Ireland. In Cork City, Project Ireland 2040 means delivering the Cork Dockland’s regeneration, investing in public transport, as well as roads projects like the Dunkettle Interchange and the M20. A directly elected Lord Mayor will have the mandate to drive this ambition forward and ensure that Cork City grows in a sustainable and positive way in the years ahead.

Current Situation:

Today the Lord Mayor of Cork is elected for a one year term by other councillors and it is a largely ceremonial role.

The Lord Mayor has few powers. The real powers, like proposing a budget or development plans, are in the hands of an unelected public servant.

If you vote yes, what will change?

Every five years, you will vote for a person to become the Lord Mayor. The power will be in your hands.

The Lord Mayor will be responsible for proposing the budget every year, putting forward the development plans and representing Cork City.

Power will be transferred to a directly elected Lord Mayor who is accountable to you, the voter.

There will now be a single person, elected by the people of Cork City, responsible for driving forward Cork’s future development.

The directly elected Lord Mayor will be a champion for Cork City at home and abroad – able to win investment, jobs and promote tourism.

The chief executive will remain responsible for managing the staff of the City Council, as well as its day to day running.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a plebiscite?

A plebiscite is a poll consulting the public on a proposal. In this case, establishing a directly elected Lord Mayor of Cork.

Who can vote in the plebiscite?

Anyone who is registered to vote for the local elections in Cork City can vote in the plebiscite.

When is the vote?

The plebiscite will take place on May 24th. Polls are open from 7am to 10pm. This is the same day as the Local and European Elections, as well as the Divorce Referendum. In total, Cork City residents will receive four ballot papers when they go to vote.

What will happen if the people vote YES?

If the people of Cork City vote YES on May 24th the Government will prepare legislation to establish the office of a directly elected Lord Mayor. The first election will take place in 2022.

What will happen if the plebiscite is a NO vote?

The current situation will remain. The Chief Executive of Cork City Council would retain all executive functions.

Limerick

On the 24th May, you will be asked to vote on whether you want to directly elect the mayor Limerick. If you vote yes, then in future years there will be a mayor for Limerick who will be voted for by the people of Limerick. The mayor will serve a five-year term and will have real powers to drive Limerick’s future development.

A directly elected mayor will help deliver Project Ireland 2040’s ambition for Limerick

Project Ireland 2040 is our plan to rebalance growth and development across Ireland. Central to this is growing Limerick City by 50% over the next twenty years, twice the rate planned for Dublin. This will help to bring about genuine balanced regional development. In Limerick, Project Ireland 2040 includes delivering Limerick 2030, ensuring continuous investment in UL and LIT, building the M20 and improving our road network. A directly elected mayor will have the mandate to drive this ambition forward, and to ensure that all parts of Limerick City and County grow in a sustainable and positive way in the years ahead.

Current Situation:

Today the mayor of Limerick is elected for a one year term by other councillors and it is a largely ceremonial role.

The mayor has few powers.

The real powers, like proposing a budget or development plans, are in the hands of anunelected public servant.

If you vote yes, what will change?

Every five years, you will vote for a person to become the mayor. The power will be in your hands.

The mayor will be responsible for proposing the budget every year, putting forward the development plans and representing Limerick.

Power will be transferred to a directly elected mayor who is accountable to you, the voter.

There will now be a single person, elected by the people of Limerick, responsible for driving forward Limerick’s future development.

The directly elected mayor will be a champion for Limerick at home and abroad – able to win investment, jobs and promote tourism.

The chief executive will remain responsible for managing the staff of Limerick City and County Council, as well as its day to day running.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a plebiscite?

A plebiscite is a poll consulting the public on a proposal. In this case, establishing a directly elected mayor of Limerick.

Who can vote in the plebiscite?

Anyone who is registered to vote for the local elections in Limerick can vote in the plebiscite.

When is the vote?

The plebiscite will take place on May 24th. Polls are open from 7am to 10pm. This is the same day as the Local and European Elections, as well as the Divorce Referendum. In total, Limerick residents will receive four ballot papers when they go to vote.

What will happen if the people vote YES?

If the people of Limerick vote YES on May 24th the Government will prepare legislation to establish the office of a directly elected mayor. The first election will take place in 2022.

What will happen if the plebiscite is a NO vote?

The current situation will remain. The Chief Executive of Limerick City and County Council would retain all executive functions.

Waterford

On the 24th May, you will be asked to vote on whether you want to directly elect the mayor of Waterford. If you vote yes, then in future years there will be a mayor for Waterford who will be voted for by the people of Waterford. The mayor will serve a five-year term and will have real powers to drive Waterford’s future development.

A directly elected mayor will help deliver Project Ireland 2040’s ambition for Waterford

Project Ireland 2040 is our plan to rebalance growth and development in Ireland. Central to this is growing Waterford City by 50% over the next twenty years, twice the rate planned for Dublin. This will help to bring about genuine balanced regional development in Ireland. In Waterford, Project Ireland 2040 means delivering upon the North Quays redevelopment, enabling the creation of the Technological University of the South-East, improving public transport and our road network amongst others. A directly elected mayor will have the mandate to drive this ambition forward, and to ensure that all parts of Waterford City and County grow in a sustainable and positive way in the years ahead.

Current Situation:

Today the mayor of Waterford is elected for a one year term by other councillors and it is a largely ceremonial role.

The mayor has few powers

The real powers, like proposing a budget or development plans, are in the hands of an unelected public servant.

If you vote yes, what will change?

Every five years, you will vote for a person to become the mayor. The power will be in your hands.

The mayor will be responsible for proposing the budget every year, putting forward the development plans and representing Waterford.

Power will be transferred to a directly elected mayor who is accountable to you, the voter.

There will now be a single person, elected by the people of Waterford, responsible for driving forward Waterford’s future development.

The directly elected mayor will be a champion for Waterford at home and abroad – able to win investment, jobs and promote tourism.

The chief executive will remain responsible for managing the staff of Waterford City and County Council, as well as its day to day running.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a plebiscite?

A plebiscite is a poll consulting the public on a proposal. In this case, establishing a directly elected mayor of Waterford.

Who can vote in the plebiscite?

Anyone who is registered to vote for the local elections in Waterford can vote in the plebiscite.

When is the vote?

The plebiscite will take place on May 24th. Polls are open from 7am to 10pm. This is the same day as the Local and European Elections, as well as the Divorce Referendum. In total, Waterford residents will receive four ballot papers when they go to vote.

What will happen if the people vote YES?

If the people of Waterford vote YES on May 24th the Government will prepare legislation to establish the office of a directly elected mayor. The first election will take place in 2022.

What will happen if the plebiscite is a NO vote?

The current situation will remain. The Chief Executive of Waterford City and County Council would retain all executive functions.